The State of Illinois’ application for Round 2 of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) is now open. A total of $220 million will be made available for small businesses of all types in Illinois under this round of BIG programming to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational needs. Learn more about the opportunity and apply online on the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity website.

Individuals are required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public space. This includes at bars and restaurants in common areas (e.g. Waiting for a table, going to the restroom, going to get a drink, picking up an order).

For question about this new order or best practices or recommendations about operating your business during COVID-19, please contact the Springfield Fire Department’s Fire Safety Division at 217.789.2170.

Click here to view 6 different "Masks Required" signs. Print and display any of the options.

Download and print a general sign for your business.

Download and print social distancing policies for employers.

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce has created a guide for reopening your business as a tool to assist you along the way.

The Chamber has also compiled a list of resources where members can purchase personal protective equipment and other items recommended to ensure the safety of your employees and customers. We continue to update this list as information becomes available. Click here for more information.

To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and non-profits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 today.

SBA’s EIDL program offers long-term, low interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. These loans can provide vital economic support to help alleviate temporary loss of revenue. EIDL assistance can be used to cover payroll and inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses. Additionally, the EIDL Advance will provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties, and these emergency grants do not have to be repaid.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security is accepting applications for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program beginning Monday, May 11.

• Apply for regular unemployment before you apply for PUA.
• If you applied for regular unemployment and have been denied between April 1, 2019 and today, do not reapply.
• Go into your regular unemployment account and set up direct deposit for payment.
• Have your 2019 tax return or proof of income ready and available.
• Be prepared to certify.
• Remember: You must submit a new application for PUA. The two systems are not transferrable.
• A guide can be downloaded here.

DCEO in conjunction with IDES launched the Get Hired Illinois. This new portal is designed to connect workers with available job and career training opportunities across the state. Residents and employers may access the site here. Illinois residents will also have free access to online workforce development courses via a partnership with Coursera.

Businesses in Springfield and Sangamon County are encouraged to take the ALL IN 4U pledge, a new health and safety initiative organized by several community organizations to instill consumer confidence and energize the local economy. Though participation is highly encouraged, the ALL IN 4U pledge is not mandated, associated with, or regulated by the CDC or any public health entity. It is a voluntary action for intent to follow best practices only. Businesses interested in joining the ALL IN 4U initiative should visit www.ALLIN4U.org for more information and to actually take the pledge online.

Springfield businesses are encouraged to register with www.springfieldzoom.com so consumers can find out the status of their favorite local businesses and their services in one, easily searchable, website. Registration is free and easy.

Restaurants Allowed Alcohol Sales

As the City of Springfield Liquor Commissioner, Mayor Langfelder signed an order that will allow a package of unopened alcohol with takeout food orders. This order will benefit over 130 restaurants. Click here to read the Order.

Justine Petersen is offering low interest small business loans to Illinois businesses impacted by this current pandemic. Maximum loan size is $50,000, with an interest rate of 3% amortized over 5 years. Loan proceeds may be used for working capital or to address other costs incurred during, or as a result of, the Covid-19 crisis. For more information, contact JP staffer Galen Gondolfi at ggondolfi@justinepetersen.org or call 314.565.2223.

This new program was introduced by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. The Program is an impact investment loan program under which the State Treasurer would make up to $500 million in deposits available to financial institutions throughout the state, at near-zero rates, to assist Illinois small business and non-profits negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this funding is to provide vital economic support to small businesses and non-profits throughout Illinois to help overcome the loss of revenue they are experiencing. Click here to find out more.

The City of Springfield is closely following the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act is a document that has been created to help small business owners understand this bill better. Click here to read this guide.

Illinois’ COVID-19 Website

The State of Illinois launched a website focused on COVID-19 , which includes the latest news, prevention along with resources for individuals and businesses. The public is asked to check the site regularly for updates.

As a follow-up to the federal government’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act, IR-2020-57 was introduced regarding Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Tax Credits for Businesses. If your business is looking at the possibility of laying off employees, this provision should be examined in conjunction with Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order issued on Friday, March 20.

Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible. For more information please visit their website.

Please note: if you file an Unemployment Insurance claim on or after July 17, 2016 and you are subject to the registration requirement, you must complete your registration immediately through www.IllinoisJobLink.com.

Your Unemployment Insurance benefits will not be paid until your registration is complete. CLICK HERE to apply.

• The Illinois Department of Employment Security has published Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 and unemployment benefits on their website. Read more of their helpful information here.
• The Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries is offering phone appointments for area employees who are off of work because of COVID-19. For more information, click here.
• Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

Though it is not a government program, talking to your current bank is recommended if you are having any problems or anticipate any problems. As new programs become available, we will coordinate and send the information out. Most banks will handle concerns on a case by case basis. We spoke to almost all of our local and national lending institutions and they are all willing and ready to help.

What Is Considered An “Essential Business”?

There are various resources available to business owners as they navigate through COVID-19. Following are helpful guides and resources available on the internet.

• COVID-19 Workplace Checklist
• Interim Guidance from the CDC
• Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace
• Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
• OSHA’s guide to COVID-19
• Guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19
• What to know about ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19

For local and state tourism related updates related to COVID-19, visit our Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau website.